Ask the Expert Question-and-Answer Archive

by Ron Joseph

May, 2005

Stripping of Epoxy Paint

Q. We have just finished construction of a concrete block building, and the interior walls have been painted with epoxy paint within the last 10 days. The worker who is going to paint a mural on one of the walls now decided that he needs a smooth surface. Short of stripping the paint, is there anything we can do to make plaster stick to epoxy paint? If it needs to be stripped, do you have a recommendation on the type of paint stripper?

A. Stripping of epoxy paint is difficult at best especially if you use chemical strippers. The alternative to chemical strippers is abrasive blasting and various abrasives will do the job. This is costly and might generate lots of dust.

I am not aware of any method for applying plaster to an epoxy surface with any sort of guarantee hat it will work.

Sorry, but that's the best I can offer.

Best wishes,

Ron Joseph